LWIR hyperspectral mapping of the Gamsberg deposit, Aggeneys, South Africa

A LWIR hyperspectral airborne campaign was carried out to map the lithology and to detect the zinc mineralization of the Gamsberg at the Northern Cape in South Africa. Therefore, L WIR data was acquired with a GSD of 2.5 meter in July/ August 2015. The data preprocessing included the orthorectification, atmospheric correction as well as a temperature and emissivity separation approach. The lithological mapping and detection based on an endmember procedure extracting 11 representative endmember and a spectral classification using the spectral angle mapper. The final result shows a detailed lithological map with better differentiation of the schist into three subunits as compared to the geological map. The gossan, an indicator for the mineralization, was detected and mapped as well. This is in good agreement with existing field findings and demonstrated the potential of L WIR hyperspectral data to support exploration activities.